Coastal southern Maine is well known for its picturesque beaches. These beaches are not just tourist attractions, but also gateways to amazing summer adventures. People enjoy many different activities on the beach, from romping in the sand, to collecting shells, to playing in the water. For those in the disability community, some of the summertime activities can be challenging or almost inaccessible, but one program has the goal of making summer fun an opportunity for everyone.

Located in Kennebunk, Aquaholics Special Surfers is a program designed to help individuals with disabilities participate in surfing. Initiated in 2004, the program has grown steadily the past decade, primarily due to active community support. Once each month in June, July and August, any child or young adult with a special need can sign up to enjoy a fun time learning to surf or to simply be in the ocean on Special Surfer Night.

Now a community tradition, surfers and other volunteers gather annually on Kennebunk Beach in the early evening to host this memorable night. Staffed by a team of dedicated volunteers, the program has become streamlined over the year, making it easily accessible. For example, families and individuals my register for the event in advance online, and then show up, ready to surf, with no worries.

To cater to all needs, novice surfers are provided options, including accommodations for sensory differences such as wanting to get into the water but not wanting to get your face wet. The surf teams work together marvelously to ensure every single person's accommodations are taken into account. This helps participants let go of concerns and have the opportunity to enjoy the moment and think only about the thrill of catching the next wave. And the surfer instructors are known as Super Surfers, and that really is what they are. They arrive at the beach with infectious optimism for the ocean waves, ready to enter the "surf zone" with participants and the volunteer teams.

This program has become such an integral part of Kennebunk that its positive influence reaches beyond just those who get to ride the waves. It extends to the entire community, which continues to run the event successfully year after year.

To learn more go to http://www.aquaholicsspecialsurfers.org

Learn the Steps, Get Employed

by Chloe Rothschild

The Autistic Global Initiative of the Autism Research Institute has partnered with uptimize, an online education company, to create a course called "Learn The Steps, Get Employed." The course is an important resource for young adults with autism like me who face serious systemic challenges when it comes to becoming employed. A new research guide about transition to young adulthood for young adults with autism, recently released from Drexel University in April, reports that only "58% of young adults on the autism spectrum worked for pay outside the home between high school and their early 20s-a rate far lower than young adults with other types of disabilities." (Key Findings National Autism Indicators Report: Transition Into Young Adulthood, Drexel University 2015)

The new online employability course contains 17 learning units that are all video based. While lessons 2-9 focus on preparing before your interviews, lessons 10-15 focus on during your interviews, and lesson 16 and 17 focus on after your interviews. Each video module varies in length from approximately 2-5 minutes, depending on the lesson you are on. The course also includes access to useful downloadable resources including examples, visuals, and forms that are referenced during the video lessons. The entire course lasts a little over an hour in length, but can be repeated in segments as many times as you like. This is a big plus, since it supports learning through repetition of important concepts.

The lessons are sequential in order, but can be viewed out of order as well, in case you want a refresher. Each lesson follows the same overall structure. Each has a golden rule, followed by key points, and ending with a takeaway message. I personally liked that each lesson followed this same structure so I knew what to expect, there weren't many surprises. The instructor starts each lesson by explaining why the skill is important, which I think is beneficial, because once you know how relates to you personally, you want to keep watching.

I took the course and learned new information that I look forward to using in the future as I fill out job applications and attend interviews, which is something that will likely occur throughout my life. One piece of information I learned was that it is best to fill out fewer job applications and fill them out right than it is to fill out more job applications and do them wrong. I learned to focus my effort on a job that I really want, and on what really suits me, versus applying for just any job. I liked how the course showed examples, verbally explaining them and showing them visually. This will be helpful for different kinds of learners.

Another young adult with autism, Lydia Wayman, also had the opportunity to participate in the course; here is what she had to say: "The course gives great tips to finding not just a tolerable job but a great match that will let you follow your interests and use your unique skills in a way that benefits you and the employer, too. Instead of a long list of random rules, the videos have autistic thinkers in mind and give practical tips, alongside explanations of why and how. This transforms arbitrary rule lists into a setting and social world that starts to make sense and wont be nearly as hard to remember at the next interview."

PSL is a Maine-based organization that serves the developmental disability community throughout the state. Its biggest and most well known program is STRIVE, which is headquartered in the city of Portland. A multidimensional program geared toward teenagers and young adults, STRIVE addresses a variety of needs through its nine different programs, including improving academic and work skills, fostering leadership skills, and developing career and social opportunities.

Each week, the organization hosts the STRIVE Friday Night Social from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, offering a variety of activities, such as dancing, playing video games or watching TV with friends, enjoying card games, and purchasing food donated by local stores or made by STRIVE participants. Once a month the Friday Night Social offers a theme night with decorations, costumes and prizes. It is a favorite among participants and provides a wonderful venue to meet and connect with peers from across the state.

For those in the 11-14 year age range, a tween social group meets earlier in the day prior to the social. This program emphasizes weekly events designed to promote community engagement, such theater workshops with Portland Stage Company or exploring marine science through touch tanks. The group consistently meets at the STRIVE location to keep activities based in a familiar place.

On Wednesdays at STRIVE the focus is on education, with classes arranged into sessions centered around a specific topic, such as "Career Exploration and Job Preparation" or "Community Connections". Like any course in community college or university, a syllabus is provided for participants to know which topics will be covered and when assignments are due. Classes are affordable and last two hours each week, with new topics cycling through monthly for learning important life skills.

In addition to the organization's weekly programs, STRIVE offers the innovative, two-year STRIVE U program that encompasses many important independent living skills, ranging from employment, to transition and education. During their two-year period of study, students attend classes at nearby Kaplan University and hold down a job, while living in off-campus housing with resident assistants who help to provide real-world learning opportunities like money management, independent travel, and self-care. The program also emphasizes all the activities that a college campus has to offer, including an orientation course that assists students in transitioning into a college educational environment. Additionally, STIVE U students receive support from an academic advisor to assist each person in addressing and realizing individual educational goals.

For more information go to http://www.pslstrive.org

Pine Tree Camp in 1945

In 1936, a pioneering organization called Pine Tree Society established itself in Bath, Maine, to provide opportunities and supports for individuals with disabilities in the state. Fast-forward more than 80 years, and the organization continues to promote innovative programs that support individuals by addressing the many different needs that arise in the community.

Pine Tree has recently begun to offer a new program specifically targeting individuals who are just beginning or already involved in the transition process. The six-week Autism Transition Program for students aged 16-21, assists individuals in learning and applying a variety of skills and exploring job interests. Classes emphasize limited enrollment, allowing participants to receive personalized support and to expand on their individual strengths. The Autism Transition Program presents a variety of learning topics. An upcoming session, called "Healthy Foods, Healthy Bodies," supports participants in working on skills related to food preparation and healthy eating.

To learn more go to http://www.pinetreesociety.org/

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 700,000 college students - or 3.5% - have some type of disability. While students with disabilities may face unique challenges, they're entitled to the same quality of education as any other student. This online guide walks readers with both physical and learning disabilities through their legal rights, where to find assistance on campus, and provides an extensive list of websites, apps and software resources designed for specific needs. The online planning tools and academic resources are presented to help students and their families advocate for quality education. College Resources for Students with Disabilities can be found here:

http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/disabled-students/

Autism Speaks Launches New Job Search Portal for People with Autism

TheSpectrumCareers.com, a newly launched job search portal, connects employers with employable individuals with autism and other disabilities. Similar to Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com, the site is designed specifically for jobseekers with ASDs and other disabilities. 

Job seekers register for the site and use a simple tool to upload/create a resume, skills and interests. They will also have tools to upload videos of themselves performing job-related tasks.

Employers will also have tools to upload photos/videos of their workspace, along with a traditional job description.

Job coaches and other employment service providers are encouraged to register as well. If an individual with autism or another disability indicates that they would like to use (or are interested in learning about) support services, they will be connected to these providers in addition to the employers in their area who have openings.